Deerfield High School is just like any other high school in America, full of insults, rumors, bullies, and teenage angst. These problems are not just present at Deerfield but at high schools across America. A new era of social technology has arrived along with a new era of bullying. Combined with the physical and verbal abuse of old kids have never been more susceptible to bullies.

On the MTV series "If You Really Knew Me" students participate in Challenge Day. Challenge Day is designed to break down cliques and demonstrate how people really feel. I thougthD

"Take my pee, go ahead, TAKE IT!!!"- An Advocation for Drug Testing

An Analysis and Decision on Drug Testing in Schools

Drug testing is absolutely necessary in schools, not just for extracurricular activity, but all students. American youth are becoming drug abusers. Drugs accessibility, coupled with the stress of high school, are breaking down teenagers. While the stress caused by high school is unavoidable, drug abuse is. Preventative action like drug testing will help discourage students from making poor decisions. Even with the drug education supplied by D.A.R.E. and health classes throughout school careers, students still abuse drugs. By implementing drug testing, a step forward is made in the war on drugs.

Not enough school programs actually have an effect on the students thoughts on drug use. Usually laughable and lacking impact, school assemblies are ineffective at preventing drug use. Drug testing will alert schools and parents what students need help with there drug problems. This allows the necessary steps to stop the drug abuse to begin. While ultimately the abuser must decide to stop their abuse, drug testing allows the correct support groups to be put in place to prevent further drug abuse.

7 Days in September

7 Days in September is a powerful documentary about 09/11. The film has immense impact on me for a couple of reasons. My Aunt Lydia and her family lived in Soho at the time of the attacks. That was frightening. I was in third grade and did not really know much about New York geography, in fact I did not know about the World Trade Center. Hearing about the destruction being wrought in the Big Apple drove my mind away from my upcoming birthday towards anger. I was full of anger, and I did not know why, just that I was furious. Also, recently my family took a trip to NYC. It is an amazing city, full of interesting people, great food, and there is always something going on. You never would have guessed this city had been gone through the most succsessful terroist attack the world has seen. The city projects strength, its buildings are enormous, the people are everywhere, and the baseball team dominates. We spent a day just walking through the city, observing. We stopped to read a wall, a memorial to those lost in the attacks. Pictures, notes, flowers, there were literally thousands of objects placed there to honor the fallen. AFter viewing the film, I understand how strong this city truly is. The community suppourted everyone and was full of love. Never has a city come together quite like New York post-90/11.

The Pupil

In the short story, "The Pupil", the student and teacher bond is focused on. Mr. Pemberton and Morgan have a deep respect and love for each other. Students have always been imprinted on by the beliefs of their educators. I took biology with Mr. Lavin last year. he regularly talked about his beliefs and feelings about things. We did not always see eye to eye but we always listened and thought about each others values. Mr. Lavin was an important person in shaping who I am. Making connections with educators is a key aspect of social/educational relations. Interaction with teachers and other students makes up 80% of our day. Education truly is a key aspect in social communications.

Analytical: Literature

“Harrison Bergeron” demonstrates a lack of individuality. The characters in the story are forced to be complete and total equals in every possible characteristic. A component of this is that no one is allowed to be smarter than anyone else. The main character Harrison Bergeron is much smarter than everyone else, so smart he cannot be inhibited. He is the only person in the story who demonstrates the ability to socially interact. This is because education is a way to enhance our ability to communicate with each other. In school, children are constantly in contact with one another. Social lives are highly comprised of friends and relationships found from school. John Dewey talked about “learning by doing.” Children must interact to more easily retain what they have learned. This involves talking with other students. Seeing people’s differences in how they understand problems is part of the learning process. In the short story, they completely eliminate differences making education and social interaction nigh impossible. Without education, a key component of the social lives of the citizens is lost. Education is one of the most powerful tools in creating relationships. In the story, “The Pupil” the main character Mr. Pemberton tutors a boy named Morgan. The boy lives an unhappy life because of his cruel family and heart disabilities. Morgan begins to have much respect and love for Pemberton. The relationship is created out of the tutoring lessons they have together. Morgan has never had a true friend until Pemberton. The bond that they share is powerful because education creates intricate relationships between people. Even though the story ends tragically the respect the two have for each other will never die. The mutual respect formed between the student and the teacher is the key social aspect of education. Involving social interaction with learning comes naturally to human beings. It will always be involved with the school system of the United States of America.

Harrison Bergeron

The story "Harrison Bergeron" takes place in a post-apocalyptic future where everyone is supposed to be equal. Inhibitors are placed on those who are gifted for physical or mental purposes. The main character in the story, Harrison Bergeron, is extremely smart and strong. He is put into custody for learning and becoming more intelligent. The strict rules imposed on education destroy all sense of personality in the citizens as exhibited in Harrisons parents. This leads to a theory I have that education is key to shaping someones personality. Dewey talked about society and education and this story is a perfect example of what happens when you neglect education.

Analytical: Background Information

Education has been a key aspect to the United States since its very establishment. Over time, many speakers have demonstrated their ideals on education. First of these thinkers was Horace Mann. Mann believed in public education. He presented his thoughts in many speeches about teacher’s pay, public education reform, and the nobility of being a teacher. Mann’s reform of education laid the foundation for other philosopher’s of education as well. John Dewey lived life by the philosophy that actions should be judged by their consequences. He applied this to education by reforming the social interactions created in learning. He founded multiple teaching methods, like “learning by doing.” His values on teaching are still practiced among teachers today. They can be seen in his book, “The School and Society.” Besides his book Dewey spent a ton of time spreading his beliefs. Without input from Dewey and Mann schooling probably would have looked very different today. Schools would have been much more privatized. Even now, there are many private schools. This leads to the topic of school choice. Educators believe by creating a separation between public and private schools students feel that private schooled children are superior. This could leave public schooled kids with a feeling of inferiority and detriment school work. Also the public school system is funded by the government so if people enrolled in private schools they could effectively dodge taxes. An idea proposed to counteract this would be tax vouchers. Parents of private schooled kids would pay a set amount of money to the government. School choice could also help students by providing a familiar social environment. Ethnicity-based schools could help students find their niche. This could cause problems as well, similar to the Ebonics incident in Oakland circa 1996. Students who spoke slang were supposed to be enrolled in a class were their English could be learned easier, similar to a second language program. Members of the black community demanded that their kinsmen be treated as normal students, not fully understanding the school’s thought process. Some ethnic groups understood what the school was attempting to accomplish and praised them.

Update: February 3rd, 2010

I have a ton of information and multiple other primary sources to get around to making entries about. I am defiantly heading in the right direction. The only part I'm missing is where I want to focus my topic on. Their is a large volume of information and it is difficult to choose one spot to research. Dewey and Mann are both interesting but I want to search more. What are some idea's people before me focused on in Education? Hopefully I will figure it out soon.

Horace Mann: The Case for Public Schools

Horace Mann presents a very clever point when he states "If one class possesses all the wealth and the education, while the residue of society is ignorant and poor, it matters not by what name the relation between them may be called; the latter, in fact and in truth, will be the servile dependants and subjects of the former. But if education be equably diffused, it will draw property after it, by strongest of all attractions; for such a thing never did happen, and never can happen, as that an intelligent and practical body of men should be permanently poor."(150)Mann is stating that if public education is implemented than the economy will strengthen. Smart people are better at earning money than stupid people. Education is an key component to the U.S. economy. Public education could only benefit the country. Mann's ideas made me think of Booker T. Washington for a moment. Both of them were clearly focus on relating the economy to their topic. The economy immediately grabbed the public's attention to their topic allowing them to spread their ideas. Mann used the economy to bring attention to his public education reform. He had an ingenious plan.
"American Reader, Pages 148-153"

Horace Mann

Horace Mann was a leader on public education. He originally wanted to bring his reform on public education to Massachusetts but ultimately brought it to the entire country. He greatly cared for teaching and preached its importance with his quote "Education . . . is a great equalizer of the conditions of men—the balance wheel of the social machinery." He fought to increase teacher's pay and to bring his ideas on public education to fruition. He organized many meetings to bring out his idea's, regularly attending his conventions for speeches. His thoughts on public education were the basis for american education. Without him the school system would have changed drastically.

McGuire, William, and Leslie Wheeler. "Horace Mann." American History. ABC-CLIO, 2010. Web. 1 Feb. 2010. .
"Horace Mann: quote on education." American History. ABC-CLIO, 2010. Web. 1 Feb. 2010. .

School Choice

Private and public schools have been around since we have been born. Parents always want to give their children the best opportunities, therefore the best schools. Private schools were created to satisfy this. Unfortunately, many educators believed that by creating a separation between private and public schools the students in public schools would feel worse about themselves. They also believed this negative attitude would detriment the students school work. Another aspect of school choice was magnet schools, schools designed for specific purposes like the arts. Also, taxes had always been used to fund public schooling so children attending private schools made taxes for schooling obsolete. This was corrected by having the families pay tax vouchers. The idea of school choice is still controversial today, bringing religion into the equation. This can be seen at our very own high school, with Holy Cross and Scheter.
"school choice." American History. ABC-CLIO, 2010. Web. 1 Feb. 2010. .

Ebonics

During 1996 a school in Oakland was facing difficulties with African-American students. The slang spoken by the students, labeled Ebonics, was causing problems with teaching standard English courses. The teachers compared it to immigrants learning language and went to the school board asking to recognize Ebonics as a language. They asked for this because than they could recognize English as a second language and provide better help for the students. When others heard the school was recognizing Ebonics as a language, they assumed it was becoming a taught class. Controversy ensued, not only for the incorrect assumptions but the fact young blacks were being treated as non-Americans. Many civil rights leaders became upset about the incident while others praised the school for striving to help the students and giving them and ethnic identity.
"Ebonics controversy." American History. ABC-CLIO, 2010. Web. 1 Feb. 2010. .

John Dewey: Thinker, Philospher, Educator

John Dewey lived his life by the idea that consequences are what actions should be judged by. He applied this ideal to create social reform, specifically with education. Dewey founded many new teaching methods and values in learning, such as "learning by doing." Dewey's thoughts on education were powerful and released in a book called "The School and Society." The notions he stated are still seen in teaching today. His thinking changed education forever. His philosophies were demonstrated through his speeches. He was very active in spreading his beliefs. Without this spread of beliefs, education may have been much more privatized than it is now. We all owe him thanks.
"John Dewey." American History. ABC-CLIO, 2010. Web. 29 Jan. 2010. .

Education- Background Information Entry

Since the time when we first claimed independence from Britain, education has been integral to America. Education was pertinent to Democracy's success. Education has adapted many times, evolving from elementary, secondary, middle, high, public, and private schooling as well as colleges. Federal government has been deeply involved with education as well, going as far as establishing a branch called the Department of Education. Schooling has been the basis for revolution in american society, such as the start of integration and Brown vs. Board of education. Even now as times are evolving we are changing education with this very blog. Using technology has become a key component to learning. We are using the internet to write a research paper! Education is an integral part to being an American. "education." American History. ABC-CLIO, 2010. Web. 29 Jan. 2010. .

Music, Band of Horses, Passion Pitt, Fleet Foxes, and Superdawgs!!!

Just got home from the grand opening of Superdawg in Wheeling and got to say FANTASTIC. I got a Superdawg and Supercheesie on black bread. Maybe the most satisfying meal I have ever consumed. I also talked with the owner for a bit. Great guy, great food, check it out. Also, I want to talk about a band I love called Passion Pitt. They are an electronic-type group and unique in their sound and style. The falsetto singing is offset by the strange yet delightful background music. You may know them from the Palm Pixi commercial http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXdExYKC3bU&feature=related. The song in the commercial is “Sleepyhead”. My favorite song by them is "Smile Upon You" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pp0mNFr1iNw. Another awesome band is Fleet Foxes. They are a folk band and ZZ Top's love child. They have seriously thought-provoking music and videos. My favorite songs by them are “Mykonos” and “White Winter Hymnal”. You can hear them on YouTube at these two links http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DT-dxG4WWf4 and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DrQRS40OKNE. The last song I adore is “The Funeral” by Band of Horses. It is just super-powerful music and great melody. It is my favorite song ever. Hear it here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibE7IqEjni4. Definitely a song I listen to when I'm down. Music is a great way to escape our lives for brief moments or accentuate them. I am wondering what role people use music for in their lives. Comment on your feelings about the music, what music does for you, and what it means to you.

Education-Intial Thoughts

Education in Deerfield can be described as elementary school, middle school, high school, and college. The overwhelming majority of Deerfield High School students go to college. We are priveliged to have such enormous oppurtunities afforded to us but in the rest of America it is not so. Education on higher levels is expensive and people are not able to pay during the current economic reccession. School is a major component in the development of children. Learning, teaching, and schooling have been around since the first days of indpendence on U.S. soil and they have not stopped now. I am looking forward to understanding the history of understanding.

Barack Obama and the State of the Union Address

I just finished watching the State of the Union on Youtube. The entire time President Obama's charisma shined. He speaks with such prescision and confidence. However, President Obama promised DRASTIC change during his campaign. This worries me because the Unemployment rates have increased since Obama's inaguration. The month Obama became our president, unemployment rates were at 7.7% which has since climbed to 10% today. The President did state 2010's focus is creating jobs. the President's hope for 2010 is bestowed in me but I still hold doubts about our economy.

Modern day storytelling and my affinty for it

My favorite thing to do is play videogames. For my 7th birthday my father purchased me a Sony Playstation. I was immediately smitten. Since the beginning of human existence there have been stories. Cave-paintings detailing hunts have been found from thousands of years ago. Storytelling has evolved to the point of gaming. Yes I play games so would argue have no emotional value like Madden Football 10 but I disagree. I have watched football since my days as a boy and will take my passion for it with me to the grave. I appreciate the value of competition and putting your body against another in the ultimate display of power. You can satisfy this by playing real life football as well as Madden. Playing a friendly and competitive game of Madden creates so much emotion. Heartbreak, triumph, suspense, anxiety, and anger are just a few of the feelings that people express through gaming. Gaming and storytelling are both ways to express emotions. Our human nature is to express our personality and react to others. The instant acquisition of feelings is what makes videogames and stories so enjoyable. Making a connection with yourself and the game you are playing is what makes videogames so moving. A book can engross someone so much they never wish to put it down until it is over. Games are the same way. They are addictive because we crave emotional reaction. It is what makes us human beings. Artwork such as the Mona Lisa or Sistine Chapel is so powerful that the image is implanted in our minds. My mind has been implanted with the stories of videogames. Some say that books are more powerful because it is your imagination that creates the character's appearance and settings. I recently have been enjoying the game series Mass Effect 1 and 2. The games are science fiction space operas like Star Trek and Orson Scott Card's Ender series. The story has a strong cinematic feel to it as exemplified in this trailer (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFb4z6YHJqw). Many experts on gaming said the game is revolutionary because of the customization of the characters and dialogue system. The dialogue that your character has with others is determined by a pie chart. On the chart are various responses like "How can I help you?" and "get lost!" You choose an option but the line is not the actual line spoken by your in-game avatar. They say a line based on the thought you chose in effect making your thoughts determine the game. You can be a good-willed hero or a corrupt evildoer but the personality of your character is determined by you. Your imagination actually changes how the game is played by altering your character's abilities and the story Applying my creativity and imagination is an awesome feeling that I achieve by gaming and encourage people, whether they play games or not, to comment on their idea's and belief's on videogames. Also say what you believe games stand for. Stress relief, creativity output, competition, it is all up to you guys. Comment on your feelings.